Does it get any better than Halloween landing on a Friday? I think not.

Unsurprisingly, this week's list features loads of Halloween celebrations taking place around the state. Other highlights include horse riding along Lake Michigan, a storytelling festival, and an anime convention in Detroit.

As always, I'd love to hear your suggestions! If you know of an upcoming event you'd like me to highlight, please send me a note here (suggestions should be submitted at least one week before the event).

Michigan lawmakers propose plan to save SNAP benefits (MLive): Michigan House Democrats are proposing a $900 million emergency plan to keep food assistance going for 1.4 million residents as the federal government shutdown threatens to pause SNAP benefits in November. The proposal would move unused state project funds to temporarily replace the halted federal dollars. Lawmakers also want $25 million for food banks and pantries, and urged federal leaders to end the shutdown.

Anti-abortion group appeals dismissed Prop 3 court case (MI Advance): Right to Life of Michigan and several parents are appealing their dismissed lawsuit challenging Michigan’s 2022 abortion-rights amendment, Proposal 3. The group argues the measure threatens parents’ ability to consent to a minor’s abortion. A federal judge previously tossed the case for lack of standing, but the appeal focuses narrowly on parental rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Kalkaska County considers data center (UpNorthLive): Kalkaska County officials are exploring plans for a large data center and power plant—a project they say could bring jobs and tax revenue to the area. The northern Michigan county’s mix of available land, energy infrastructure, and public support makes it uniquely suited, according to project backers. But with the proposed site on state-owned DNR land, the project would need legislative approval to move forward.

Click the map to explore each location. (Google My Maps)

West Michigan

1. Slightly Spooky Cemetery Tours

Friday, Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m.

Pilgrim Home Cemetery (370 E. 16th St., Holland)

2. Halloween Party on the Milwaukee Clipper

Friday, Oct. 31, 8-11:45 p.m.

S.S. Milwaukee Clipper (2098 Lakeshore Drive, Muskegon)

3. Hollywood of Horrors

Oct. 31-Nov. 1

The BOB (20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids)

4. Halloween Pickleball Mixer

Saturday, Nov. 1, 2-4 p.m.

Dinks & Dingers Social Club (5080 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Grand Rapids)

5. Howl-a-Ween

Saturday, Nov. 1, 5-9 p.m.

Archival Brewing (6266 West River Drive, NE, Belmont)

6. Silver Lake State Park - Shoreline Riding Season

Nov. 1-30

Silver Lake State Park (8960 W. Fox Road, Mears)

Northern Michigan/UP

7. Halloween Dance Party & Costume Contest

Friday, Oct. 31, 7-11 p.m.

Right Brain Brewery (225 E. 16th St., Traverse City)

8. 2nd Annual Día de Los Muertos Celebration

Saturday, Nov. 1, 4-9 p.m.

Mangos Tequila Bar (121 US-23, Alpena)

9. Bonifas Art Center Holiday Art Fair

Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

William Bonifas Fine Arts Center (700 First Ave. S., Escanaba)

Mid/South Michigan

10. The Official Halloween Bar Crawl (Lansing)

Oct. 31-Nov. 1

Lansing Brewing Company (518 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing)

11. Halloween 'Tater Bash

Friday, Oct. 31, 5-11:45 p.m.

The NayBours (6060 Clinton Road, Jackson)

12. Rocky Horror Picture Show

Friday, Oct. 31, shows at 7 & 10 p.m.

Grewal Hall (224 S. Washington Square, Lansing)

13. Halloween at The Avenue

Friday, Oct. 31, party starts at 9 p.m.

The Avenue Cafe (2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing)

14. Michigan Bright Water Storytelling Festival

Saturday, Nov. 1, 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Howell Opera House (123 W. Grand River, Howell)

Southeast Michigan/Thumb

15. Youmacon 20th Anniversary

Oct. 30-Nov. 2

Huntington Place (1 Washington Blvd., Detroit)

16. Hub of Horrors Halloween Bash

Oct 31-Nov. 1

The HUB Stadium (2550 Innovation Dr., Auburn Hills)

17. The Official Halloween Bar Crawl (Ann Arbor)

Oct 31-Nov. 1

Brown Jug Restaurant (1204 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor)

18. Ann Arbor Stamp Show

Oct 31-Nov. 1

WCC Morris Lawrence Building (4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor)

19. All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island

Saturday, Nov. 1, 6-9 p.m.

Frog Island Park (699 Rice St., Ypsilanti)

Did I miss something? If you know of an event this weekend that's not included on this list that you think is worth knowing about, give me a shout! I may include it in the web version of this newsletter.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega and edited by Paula Solis.

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